Bush High School Bronco Band

Everything, or almost everything you wanted to know about band….. 

Alternate:  Alternates assist the pit with moving their equipment on and off the field.  Sometimes they march at football games but not in competitions. 

Area:  The State of Texas is divided into areas and regions for music competition by the University Interscholastic League (UIL).   More information is available at their website,  www.uil.utexas.edu , click Music. 

Band Night:  Each year, in October, all the Fort Bend ISD High Schools and Middle Schools celebrate marching band.  All of the high school bands perform their marching show and then all the middle school band students join the high school band students on the field to play one group song.  Lots of fun!!!!! 

BHS Activity Account:   Bush High School Activity Account.  This is a school account, which is set up to receive money for band trips, parts of uniforms such as gloves and shoes, and other items purchased from the band or school.  In general, payments will be made to either the BHS Activity Account or the BHSBBBC (Bush High School Bronco Band Booster Club).  Make checks for anything purchased from the Booster Club to the BHSBBBC. 

BHSBBBC:  Bush High School Bronco Band Booster Club.

BOA:  Bands of America is a worldwide organization that conducts music events for high school band students.  Visit their website www.bands.org for more information. 

Concert Season:  There are two seasons in the band year.  Marching Season begins with the mini-camp in June and continues to the last football game or marching competition.  Concert Season begins in November to the end of the school year.  After marching season, each band, Honor and Symphonic, will participate in UIL competitions. 

Conference:  Schools, both high schools and charter schools, participating in UIL are divided into conferences according to enrollment numbers.  Bush High School is a 5A conference school.  More information is available at www.uil.utexas.edu , click Music, then Region Contests for 2003-2004. 

Coordinate Sheets:  These are pages of instructions that tell the marchers where they are supposed to be on the field throughout the marching show. 

Drum Line:  Marching drummers; tenors, snares, and base drums. 

Drum Majors:  The student leaders of the band during marching season. 

FBISD:  Fort Bend Independent School District  www.fortbend.k12.tx.us 

Football Games:  BHS football games played against other Fort Bend schools will be played at Mercer Stadium located next to the FBISD Administration Building at 16431 Lexington Blvd., Sugar Land, TX.  The home team sits on the south side and visitors are on the north side.  Be sure to check the schedule before arriving.  Tickets can be purchased the Thursday and Friday each week before the game or at the gate.  Last year they were $5.00 at the gate and $4.00 if purchased early for adults and $4.00 at the gate and $2.00 if purchased early for students.  Save money and buy them early.  For Thursday or Friday night games, students are not permitted to leave the campus.  They will practice, eat dinner, dress in uniform, then board the buses.  The Booster Club, if paid for in advance by the student, provides tailgate dinners.  If the student chooses not to eat the Tailgate dinner, then they must be provided a meal.  For Saturday games, the student usually needs to be at the school three to four hours early.  Be sure they are fed before going to school.  Tailgate dinners will not be provided for Saturday games.  Band students will receive details each week before the game.  After each game, students will ride the buses back to school.  They must turn in their uniforms to the uniform crew before leaving.  Please plan accordingly to pick up you student after the game.  

Fund Raisers:  The March-A-Thon is our big fundraiser that’s held in August.  We also have several smaller one’s during the year to help students offset the costs of other band trip(s).  Fundraisers are always optional. 

Grades:  It’s pretty simple really; no pass no march and/or compete.  Before each game or competition, each band student has a “grade sheet” filed out by their teachers and they turn it in to Mr. Carter.  If you have any questions, please talk with one of the Directors. 

Illnesses:   Refer to the Student Handbook for guidelines concerning absences.  Please avoid scheduling doctor appointments during practices or performances. 

Illusions:  Bush High School dance team.  The Illusions join the band during marching season for all practices, performances, and competitions.  After marching season, the band and the dance team practice, perform, and compete separately. 

Loading Crew:  Band members responsible for loading and unloading the pit and large instruments on and off of the truck when the band is traveling. 

Marching Season:  There are two seasons in the band year.  Marching Season begins with the mini-camp in June and continues to the last football game or marching competition.  The Concert Season begins in November and continues to the end of the school year. 

Mercer Stadium:  Located at 16431 Lexington Blvd., Sugar Land, TX, next to the FBISD Administration Building. 

Pit:  The Pit is part of the marching band.  It is non-marching percussion instruments such as, timpani drums, base drum (big), chimes, marimbas, and others and is usually located in the front and center on the marching field.

Region:  The State of Texas is divided into regions for music competition by UIL.  For more information, visit their website at www.uil.utexas.edu, click Music, then click Region/Area Alignment. 

Section:  Band members that play the same or similar instrument.  Examples are:  the flute section, the trombone section, and the trumpet section. 

Section Leaders:  Leaders for their instrument section.  They assist the marchers in their section with individual instruction.  They are also responsible to relaying any special instructions or messages from the Directors. 

State Year:  UIL rules are A, 2A, and 4A conference schools compete in marching band in odd numbered years and 3A and 5A schools compete in even numbered years.  Bush High School is a 5A school. 

Tailgate Dinners:  Tailgate dinners are available and optional to all band students.  The Booster Club organizes the meal when the band has an activity that requires them to leave directly from school to practice to a football game or competition.  These meals must be purchased by the band student and are available for purchase at the beginning of the marching season.  Meals are also organized for all out-of-town trips. 

UIL:  University Interscholastic League.  The UIL governs everything from student eligibility, such as passing grades, to the amount of hours the band can practice.  For a whole lot more information about UIL, visit www.uil.utexas.edu . 

Uniforms:  For marching season, during practice, students wear shorts, gym shoes, hats, and sunscreen.  A large water jug, with water only, is very necessary also.  Do not wear jeans, high tops, or sandals.  For marching performances, students will wear their white “show” shirt, uniform pants (bibs), uniform jacket, hat, black shoes, black socks, gloves, and gauntlets.  Band students will receive information for ordering shoes and gloves from Mr. Carter.  They are fitted for uniforms at the beginning of the season and will continue using the same one throughout the season.  At the time of fitting, any necessary adjustments will be noted and volunteers are asked to come to the band hall one or two evenings to help with the alterations.  All sewing adjustments are made at the school.  These uniforms are dry cleaned once a year.  Before each performance, students pick up their uniforms from the uniform crew and return them after the football game or performance.  Uniforms never go home with the band student.  Black socks are the responsibility of the band student.  Purchasing several pairs at the beginning of the marching season is a good idea.  Uniforms are expensive, so take care of them. 

Uniform Crew:  Band members that are responsible for handing out and returning them to storage during marching season.  

Yard Signs:  Yard signs are a great way to let people know your student is in the BHS Bronco Band.  They have their name on it and can be purchased through the Booster Club.  Polo shirts for parents are also available from the Booster Club.  Parents are easy to spot in the stands with the bright orange shirts on.  The band members love them because they can see all the parental support quickly.

Didn’t find all the answers to your questions?  Just e-mail your question(s) to bushbron@bushbroncoband.org